League: Warriors unite for finals push

The Warriors need to pull together to make the playoffs.

Six out of 10 is the only equation on the mind of Warriors coach Tony Kemp. It's the number of wins the Warriors now need to guarantee their passage into the top eight. A minimum of 28 points should ensure finals footy and anything less will mean the Warriors can 'enjoy' an early summer as the chosen few fight it out for the spoils. Presently seven sides are all within four points of each other in the middle of the table, seemingly chasing three vacancies.

Six out of 10 seems a simple enough equation but a scan through the Warriors' next 10 opponents makes it hard to see where those six wins will come from. They are playing fellow last-eight contenders in the Storm, Roosters, Raiders and Bulldogs. Beating those sides will be top priority.

However, conventional wisdom now seems to be that the Warriors won't do it and maybe the game against Penrith will assume vital proportions. Penrith have been a shadow of the team they were predicted to be this year but may have some key players back when they meet the Warriors at the end of next month.

If they don't succeed against Penrith, then maybe they will need to tip up one of the more favoured contenders - not unknown in the run-up to finals footy - like Manly or the Eels. The one certainty about NRL 2005 is that it has been a tipsters' nightmare, with everyone except the Knights capable of beating anyone else.

So the Warriors are still in with a chance... but they are starting to run out of chances.

BRONCOS

Today the Warriors take on a Broncos side chasing their 11th win on the trot, which would put them one short of their club record of 12, achieved in 1997 and 1998 when they won the third and fourth of their NRL titles. If there is any encouragement for the Warriors, it's that they upset Brisbane on their own turf in round two this season - one of only two losses the Broncos have suffered in 2005 - and have beaten the Broncos seven times in their 20 meetings, including five of the last seven. In the past, Wayne Bennett's side has struggled during State of Origin time but there has been no dip in form this year.

Warriors - loss

COWBOYS

The Warriors' showdown with the fourth-placed Cowboys couldn't come at a better time considering up to six of the North Queensland side will be on Origin duty when the Warriors travel to Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville next weekend. They will need to take advantage of this to keep their playoff hopes alive but the Cowboys are now a quality outfit after narrowly missing out on a place in the grand final last season.

Warriors - loss

BULLDOGS

The defending champions have looked anything like the side that swept all before them last season and sit only one point ahead of the Warriors after 15 rounds. The story of their season, however, has been injuries to key players including Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley and Willie Tonga and they've also struggled to fill the void left by Warriors skipper Steve Price. They have picked up some good wins, including a 28-10 win over the Raiders last time out and a 30-16 defeat of the Eels, but they've also registered results like the 21-21 draw with the Bunnies.

Warriors - win

ROOSTERS

The Roosters have had little to crow about but they are showing signs there is life in the side that has played in four of the last five grand finals. Will be as equally desperate to make a late charge for the top eight as the Warriors and by the time of the game coach Ricky Stuart will have got the State of Origin out of his system.

Warriors - loss

RAIDERS

The only time the Warriors will face the Raiders this season, the boys from the capital hit the ground running, sitting proudly on top of the table undefeated after five rounds. They have won only twice since then, including a defeat of the hapless Knights, so will be another side desperate to keep playoff hopes alive.

Warriors - win

PANTHERS

Many observers' pick to do well, the Panthers are 13th on the table. They probably played their best game of the season at Ericsson in round eight, edging the Warriors 16-14, but they suffered a five-game losing streak immediately afterwards. Have struggled with injuries, including the Hair Bears Tony Puletua and Joe Galuvao.

Warriors - loss

EELS

The Eels showed their class at Waikato Stadium last weekend and could be on course to finally pick up their first title since 1986. Brian Smith's side oozes class and is playing with all of the confidence of a team that knows it's on a roll.

Warriors - loss

STORM

A team that has struggled for consistency, the Storm have looked world-beaters one week - they put 50 points on the Broncos in round four and also downed a Dragons side on a roll - and also-rans the next. They still have the third-best defensive record in the competition and can be a dangerous opponent at home.

Warriors - win

KNIGHTS

If there ever was a banker, then it's the Knights. A pale imitation of the side that won the 2001 NRL title but with halfback Andrew Johns on deck anything can happen and it's inconceivable they will go through the season without a win.

Warriors - win

SEA EAGLES

Most observers have waited patiently for Manly to fall over - their heavy 44-6 defeat to the Rabbitohs was supposed to be the beginning. The only problem is they don't look like they will. Still third on the table and playing with the confidence of an outfit enjoying success, Brookvale Oval is not the sort of place teams want to go needing a win to make the playoffs - they are undefeated there this season.

Warriors - loss